Humidifier for carburetors



Sept. 28 1926.

. R. B. HUBBARD HUMIDIFIER FOR CARBURETORS 'Fi led Nov. 22. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. B. HUBBARD HUMID IER FOR CARBURETORS Filed Nov. 22, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 au ucn foz i such surface.

Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

mm stares RANDALL B. HUBBARD,,OF EOLINE, ALABAMA.

I-IUMIDIFIER FOR CARBURETORS.

Application filed November 22, 1324. Serial No 751,631.

bination thereof in the passage of the air through a humidifying chamber. The use of water in a spray or bulk form has a tendency to overcharge the air and defeat the best results in operation which are secured by passing the air over a moistened surface of the largest practical area and controlling the amount of air admitted to Under suchconditions the air absorbs sufficient moisture to secure the most cliicient combustion and increases-the power while reducing the carbon liable-tobe deposited in the engine. It is also highly desirable to provide sucha device which can be convenientlyapplied to an automobile in position accessible for inspection and con trol, for instance upon the dashboard thereof.

he. invention has foran object to provide a novel and improved construction-of humidifier COD'IPllSiDg a casing containing a tubular porous liquid receptacle and having a valvecontrolled air connection therefrom to acarburetorf V V r 1 A' further object of the invention is to provide a novel constructionby whicl the porous liquid receptacle may be detachably mounted within the casing and the air admitted thereto by a valve controlled opening and directed into contact with the moisture laden surface of such receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to pre sent an improved constructionembodying' a casing having an air inlet at its upper 72 rtion and a dischar e-opening at its lower portion controlled by a normally open choke valve, and a porous'liquid receptacle suspended between said openings and above a drip pan having communicationwith the exterior of the'casing.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention. will be hereinafter: set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

casing;

Figure aiis a detail section showing the air intake;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 6 is a similar View on the line;6-6 of Figure 3; T

Figure 7- isa section on the line 77 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a detail section of the support forthe upper end of the liquid receptacle; and k Figure 9 is a similar view of the lower portion thereof. r v

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures-0f the drawing.

The casing 10 may be of any desired configurationor material and in the application of the invention herein disclosed is adapted to be mounted uponthe front or dashboard 11 of'anautom'obile-in position relative to the remaining operating elements thereof.

This casing is'provided at its upper portion with a screened air intal'ze 12 which in the form shown is disposed at onecorner thereof so as'to impart to the air a rotary movement as it enters the casing. This intake of air is further adapted to be regulated by means of the damper 13 slidably mounted to cover theopening 12 and operativel-y connected with a shaft 14 by means of the crank arm 15 and pitman connection 16 to the damper. This shaft is provided with an operating knob or handle 17 as shown in F igure 5. 1

The lower portion of the casing is pre- -vided'with an outlet opening 18 which coirmunicates by a' conduit 19-to supply-air to arcarburetor'for instance as shownat 20. The opening 18 1s provided witha valve seat 21 adapted toco-operate with a choirs valve. 22'wl1ich is normallysupported by an arm 23 from a rock shaft 2 f providedwith an operating hand-le 25 extended beyond the casing; This valve is supported in elevated position by means of'- a tension spring 26 coiled upon the rock shaft 2% and at its opposite ends bearing against the arin23 and the-base of the casing.

For the purpose of supplying the desired moisture to humidity the air passing through the casing I have provided a tubular receptacle 27 which may be of any preferred material such as a very closely woven cloth or leather adapted to permit merely the permeation therethrough of sufficient liquid to retain its outer surface in moistened condition. Such a receptacle may be of a flexible character as herein shown and is supported at its upper end by a ring 28 secured to the top 29 of the casing as shown at 30 and pro vided with openings 31 which. permit com munication of the air with the surface of the liquid. therein. The flexible receptacle is retained in contact with the ring by means of a band 32 which extends about the same as shown in Figures 5 and 8 and has angularly disposed end portions 33 adapted to seat in sockets or eyes 34 upon a wall of the casing. These end portions are overlapped as shown in Figure 5 and entered into the sockets by which the band is thus retained in gripping contact with the top of the flexible receptacle.

The lower portion of the receptacle 27 is provided with a separate bottom member within which a ring 36 is disposed and the flexible members clamped in contact therewith by a band 37 having the end portions 38 seated in sockets 39 similar to the band 32 before described. The cover 29 may be provided with a closure 40 by which the liquid may be introduced into the receptacle and if desired such closure may carry an indicating device of any preferred charac ter. pending rod 41 supporting the lower end of a spiral blade 42 which is adapted to be rotated by a float member 44 to actuate the indicator 45.

The opening for the air intake to the easing being disposed at one side of the center thereof produces a circular or whirling movement of the air and such current is directed into contact with the surface of the receptacleby means of a deflector 46 comprising an annular member secured to the casing and having a depending flange 47.

It may also be desirable to dispose a drip receptacle or pan 48 beneath the liquid receptacle to receive any leakage or excess of moisture collecting thereon and this pan is provided with a discharge spout 49 extending to the exterior of the casing. In the practical operation. of the invention the air entering this spout by the suction introduced by the engine causes an evaporation of the moisture in the pan so that there is practically no discharge therefrom. The casing may also be provided with a door 50 by which access may be had to the interior thereof.

In the operation of the invention the air entering the casing is directed into contact The form herein shown involves a de with a porous liquid receptacle and absorbs moisture therefrom and the choke valve being normally opened this flow of air is main tained by the aspiration or suction of the engine. In starting or at other desired periods the choke may be closed by the lever for that purpose and the proper proportion of air to be admitted may be regulated by adjustment of the damper at the air intake. "he construction presents a very eilicieni form of such device having the maximum surface area maintained in a moist condition and upon which the air is directed so as to become fully charged. The mounting for this liquid receptacle permits its convenient removal whenever desired and the indicator thereon being visible to the operator of the car permits a refilling of the receptacle whenever necessary. If the receptacle be of very low porosity the difference in temperature between the air and liquid will cause a condensation upon the receptacle which may be utilized to moisten the air.

The invention therefore presents a very simple, efficient and economically manufac tured form of humidifieradapted for convenient application to the carburetor of any existing type of automobile. V

\Vhile the specific construct-ion of the several parts has been shownand described, the invention is not confined thereto as changes and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the following claims. I

Having thus described my inventionqvhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

1. A humidifier comprising an enclosing casing having a fluid inlet at one end and a fluid discharge at its opposite end, a flexible porous receptacle adapted to retain a body of liquid and suspended from an open frame at the upper portion of the casing, means beneath the receptacle for conducting an excess of discharged liquid from the easing, and means for controlling the flow of fluid between the casing and receptacle.

2. A humidifier comprising an enclosing casing, a tubular liquid receptacle therein formed of porous material, an air intake for said casing, a valved air discharge from the casing, and a deflector secured to the casing and having a depending free edge circumferential of the receptacle to direct the air inward and downward into contact with the outer surface thereof.

3. A humidifier comprising a. casing having an air intake at its upper portion and an outlet at its base, a cover for said casing, a ring supported from said cover, a porous liquidreceptacle secured to said ring. and

means for supporting the lower portion of.

said receptacle against lateral movement.

4. A humidifier comprlsmg a casing having an air intake at its upper portion and an outlet at its base, a cover for said casing,

ring disposed at the lower portion of said,

receptacle, and a band forclainping said receptacle to said ring and having its ends mounted in a Wall of the casing.

5. A humidifier comprising a casing having an air intake at its upper portion and an outlet at its base, a flexible porous liquid receptacle, means for suspending the same from the top of the casing, and a band for securing said receptacle to said suspension means and having angular overlapping free ends mounted in sockets in a Wall of the tubular flexible liquid receptacle supported therein intermediate said openings, a cover for said casing having a filling opening, and a closure for said opening carrying an indicator adapted to be disposed Within said receptacle.

7. A humidifier comprising a casing having air intake and discharge openings, a tubular flexible liquid receptacle supported therein intermediate said openings, a cover for said casing having a filling opening, a choke valve mounted to cooperate With the outlet from said casing, a rock shaft having an arm supporting said valve, and tension means cooperating with said shaft for-normally supporting said valve in open position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RANDALL B. HUBBARD. 

